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Commentary

Italy v France

June 24, 2010 — by Tommy2


Devastating result for the Azzurri, but Italy will be over it a few days after the Cup has finished. Contrast that with the French and the existential crisis its collapse has brought on. They’ll be gnawing on this for years, agonizing over what it means for French culture, society, and world stature — while the Italians are off chasing women/men, eating pasta, and sacking their governments. Maybe it’s something in the soil — Italians make happy wine; the French make anxious wine.

Video

Joy in Huskerville

June 23, 2010 — by Tommy4

Video of crowd in Lincoln, Nebraska — ground zero of cornfed football America — watching Landon’s goal. You can tell exactly what’s going on in the sequence of play by the crowd’s reaction. Wonderful.

Commentary

Incredible Win Fills US with Joy

June 23, 2010 — by Sean2

The greatest win in US Soccer history? Absotively. After dominating possession and creating chances all game, our boys finally broke through just when it seemed we’d be going home frustrated. It’s the kind of finish you dream about as a little kid—late in the game, counting down the final seconds in your head as you take that last touch and fire your shot past the imaginary goalkeeper. Incredible stuff.

I can’t even bother breaking down the game with any specifics because I’m too emotionally spent. Every US match I’ve attended has been packed with passionate fans, and today was no different. The bar crowds chanting “USA USA” as if the team can hear them, people around me gasping with every foray into offense, groaning as the ball goes harmless wide after a strike, and a celebration with today’s 91st minute goal that sparked spontaneous hugging and even some tears. Even my great new haircut was overlooked, such an amazing win it was.

We’ll be liveblogging more tomorrow, with special looks at the German/England rivalry to come, and more dispatches from South Africa in the pipe. Stay tuned, kiddos. We love ya!

Live Blog

Liveblogging Korea v Nigeria

June 22, 2010 — by Sean6

This one is for all the marbles. If Korea win, they go through. If Argentina win, and Korea tie, Korea go through. We’re pro Korea here (that’s South Korea, obviously) — be the Reds! There are a couple other situations where Korea can advance to the knockout stages, but it’s all academic. They need to win against the Super Turkeys…I mean Eagles.

In the other match, Argentina promise to turn on the style, and probably rest some of their players against a Greek side that hasn’t looked strong enough to move beyond the group, let alone beat what may very well be the tournament’s eventual winners.

All the fun after the bump!

Live Blog

Notes on Slovakia-Paraguay

June 20, 2010 — by Suman

We’re not liveblogging this one, as the game is already in the 29th minute, and in fact Paraguay just scored to go up 1-0.  But we’ll use our liveblogging format nevertheless for some notes and observations about the match–probably mostly about the Paraguayan side, as we’re guessing they’re the more likely to advance out of the group.

Starting lineups below, and notes after the jump…

Slovakia: Jan Mucha, Peter Pekarik, Martin Skrtel, Zdeno Strba, Vladimir Weiss, Jan Kozak, Stanislav Sestak, Robert Vittek, Jan Durica, Marek Hamsik, Kornel Salata.

Paraguay: Justo Villar, Claudio Morel, Carlos Bonet, Roque Santa Cruz, Enrique Vera, Paulo Da Silva, Victor Caceres, Cristian Riveros, Nelson Valdez, Lucas Barrios, Antolin Alcaraz.

Live Blog

Liveblogging England v Algeria

June 18, 2010 — by Sean2

After this morning’s game we’re throwing all our support to the Desert Foxes. England have replaced Green with James between the sticks, which apparently is a better choice. Let’s not forget his nickname is Calamity James…

England are heavy favorites, but Algeria did knock out two-time defending African Cup winners Egypt to qualify for this cup. There’s a chance, especially if Gerrard and Lampard continue to trip over each other in the center of England’s attack.

All the vitriol after the bump!